Buy where you live.
March 16th, 2008 by John MorrisAbout every two decades, an interloper hits the market; becomes highly successful, and the business model gets skewed again. One time, it was Walmart with its predatory march to destroy all small businesses wherever their latest dandilions popped up. Communities feared for their merchants when Walmart opened and later feared for their own economic survival when they closed. America still supports this giant retailer even while the former “Mom & Pop” stores remain abandoned.
The newest challenge to the marketplace is eBay. There is a simple principle in the on-line shopping giant: allow anyone with something to sell to offer it to anyone in the world. Let it go to the highest bidder. The market will set the value of the item, and this can all be done from your PC.
I buy from eBay. I admire the ethic of most of the vendors I have met. They actually seem interested in servicing my needs and not just separating me from my money – that’s a given. The seller’s eBay rating is critical to doing business for them. If it’s less than 95%, it makes buyers like me nervous. This hanging sword makes sellers behave in a manner all vendors should behave. eBay’s core principles work.
One issue about eBay troubles me. I’m never certain if the bargains winging its way to me are not stolen goods. I get an image of roving bands of thieves hitting stores like Walmart to fill their seedy warehouses with stuff. The goods are then sold for whatever on eBay, and no one is the wiser. eBay says it can’t monitor how an item comes available for bid. It just does the best it can to make the exchange happen while policing the vendors’ actions. I wonder if eBay and I are just cogs in fencing operations of the bad guys.
My most recent purchase was a pair of steel toed boots. They retailed for $140.00, and my total cost, including shipping, was $49.95. They were better than advertised, and I’m pleased about the purchase. But on further review, I did turn my back on a local store when I made this buy. Even if I maintain it’s not a big thing, the cumulative effect is putting a hurt on established merchants.
I offer this blog to plant the idea in your mind that we must continue to support our local merchants. They are the ones who suffer the blunt of assault from Walmart, eBay and the next marauding Hun looking to ravage our competitive marketplace.
Give the store in town the first look and buy from them when the prices are close enough. They live where you do and pay taxes. They are the same citizens who help out the many worthy activities in your town. Ask yourself, “When was the last time you saw a Little League team sponsored by eBay?”
Your local merchants deserve medals for their actions. Let’s give them the business instead.
P.S.: I do feel strongly that we should buy locally and I do plan to do so. However, I admit I published this blog to help calm my guilty feelings about buying on eBay.